Speak Out: What You're Saying About Changing, Improving Columbia's Pools

A recent article looked at why Columbia Association is looking to change or improve its numerous pools – and how it is beginning  a master plan process for doing so. The article met with a variety of responses from readers.

Here's a sampling of what people said on Facebook and in the comments section. You're welcome to add your own thoughts below.

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Jerry Krasnick: 

"How about a points/reward system? If a pool member utilizes a underutilized pool, they get points towards free admission. Or in the case they have a summer-long pool membership, they get points for free admission to the Sports Park, or Splashdown or some other type of CA facility."

Patrice Morton Durham:

"One suggestion is to limit usage of the River Hill pool to CA-assessment-paying residents only. A good percentage of visitors to this pool do not live in the village. Those visitors would be free to use any other pool in the system with the exception of Dorsey Search."

Eugene:

"I live in the Treover Condo community, and paying $6.50 to attend the Jeffers Hill pool is way to much. Also that pool is really not kid- or teenage-friendly. No slides at all, just a diving board, and it is geared more towards lap swimming. ... When my son, nephews and his friends want to go swimming, we drive over to the Montgomery County public pools Glenmont and MLK, which has a ton of slides. Those two pools alone are way larger and better then anything in Columbia."

Cynthia Wick: 

"I think the facilities matter a lot, especially 'beach' entries and snack bars. And sometimes the lack of parking discourages people from coming to pools that are over a mile away – not so many people walk a mile each way in the heat of summer in order to cool off by swimming, from what I've seen."

Mary@notbefore7:

"As a mom of four and member of outdoor pools and swim team, I'd love to see a pool offer earlier hours instead of swim lessons. Moms of little ones have napping babies, so a pool that opens at noon is just inconvenient. I know baby pools open earlier, but that isn't so thrilling for my 8- and 6- year-old, both competent swim team members.

"I'd get more use out of the pool if it would open at 10 for the general public, right after swim team. Maybe that is how to attract folks to the less-used pools – pick a few that won't host lessons and let them open early. I see empty slots at the lessons, so there is an ability to allow less pools to host lessons."

Erik:

"Maybe free events to open the pools up to the neighborhood could help. And if less popular pools are enhanced, potentially with heating or a more aesthetic atmosphere, then those who go to other pools might reconsider. A lot of people like to swim only laps and dives and dedicating less popular pools for that purpose might relocate the adults going to River Hill."